Single-cone bidirectional slip system

ABSTRACT

A single-cone bidirectional slip system including a single cone, a slip in operable communication with the cone, and bidirectional wickers associated with the slip.

BACKGROUND

In resource recovery industries such as hydrocarbon, steam, water, etc. there is often a need to temporarily or permanently plug tubulars used in recovery operations. Commonly such needs rely upon anchor and seal systems to ensure reliability. These systems include cones and slips that are forced in opposing directions up oppositely disposed cones to anchor in the subject tubulars. These configurations work quite reliably. Those of skill in the art are quite familiar with the arrangement.

More recently, such anchors/plugs have been modified to employ only a single cone to reduce length and cost. These work well for their intended purposes but do not well tolerate backpressure. Since the arts are enamored with the shorter lengths and reduced cost of such single cone systems, the art would well appreciate improvements that yield more reliable results.

SUMMARY

A single-cone bidirectional slip system including a single cone, a slip in operable communication with the cone, and bidirectional wickers associated with the slip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a first embodiment of a single cone bidirectional wicker slip system disposed in a tubular;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the slip illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view of an alternate wicker arrangement for a slip similar to that of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view of an alternate wicker arrangement for a slip similar to that of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view of an alternate wicker arrangement for a slip similar to that of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a view of an alternate wicker arrangement for a slip similar to that of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a view of an alternate wicker arrangement for a slip similar to that of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a view of an alternate wicker arrangement for a slip similar to that of FIGS. 1; and

FIG. 9 is a view of an alternate wicker arrangement for a slip similar to that of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.

Referring to FIG. 1, a single cone bi-directional slip system 10 is illustrated. The system 10 is illustrated disposed in a tubular 12. The system 10 includes a single cone 14 and a slip 16, which may either have an insert 18 disposed therewith or which may be configured with the features of the illustrated insert 18 as a part of the slip 16. Whether the slip 16 itself provides the features of the insert 18 or if there is indeed an insert 18 having those features as illustrated, the end result remains substantially the same. The benefit of using insert 18 is that more of the system 10 may be configured as a standard blank and only the insert 18 need be selected specifically for the application. It will be appreciated that each of the illustrations includes an insert but each is to be understood to also iterations where the profile of the insert is simply a part of the slip instead of a separate piece.

In each of the embodiments, a different wicker profile is employed. Most of the embodiments include bi-directional wickers on a single slip while one of the embodiments achieves the bidirectionality in alternating slips instead of on a single slip. The term bidirectional and formatives thereof as used herein is intended to mean that wickers point generally in more than one direction. It is not intended to mean that wickers cannot point in more than two directions as some configurations hereof indeed have wicker directions of more than two. “Direction” as used herein means a general direction that a particular wicker points.

Referring to FIG. 2, an enlarged view of FIG. 1 centering upon the insert 18 provides better understanding thereof. The insert 18 is possessed of four outside wickers 20, 22, 24, 26, at least one of which is configured in a direction different than the others. In this case, wicker 20 has a direction essentially orthogonal to an axis of the tubular 12 while the other three (22, 24, and 26) are configured with a direction leaning more to the right in the figure. As such, the wickers 22, 24, 26 will better hold a force acting toward the right of the illustration while the wicker 20 will hold a reasonable amount of force in both directions. Therefore, if the force experienced by the insert 18 of FIG. 2 is toward the right of the figure, wicker 20 will provide some holding power and wickers 22, 24, 26 will hold a significant amount. With a force in the leftward direction, while the wickers 22, 24, 26 are configured in a way that is not particularly effective for a leftward force, the wicker 20 will provide the same amount of holding power that it does in the rightward direction and hence will be of great help to the insert 18 in the event of a leftwardly acting force on the slip system 10. This particular insert 18 is also provided with inside wickers 30 that increase holding power against the cone 14.

Referring to FIG. 3, an alternate embodiment, one hundred series numerals are used for like components. Accordingly, insert 18 of FIG. 1 will be identified with numeral 118. As in the first illustrated embodiment and with all others herein, slip 116 may be configured with the features of the insert 118 or may be configured to receive an insert 118 with no change in function. Insert 118 includes two generally rightwardly (in the Figure) directed wickers 124 and 126 (same as the wickers 24 and 26 of FIG. 2) and a leftwardly directed wicker 132. It will be appreciated that the leftwardly directed wicker 132 is positioned and configured to more efficiently hold a leftwardly directed force on the system. The combination of wickers 124, 126 and 132 then will hold the system against forces in both directions.

Referring to FIG. 4, an embodiment that achieves bidirectionality in terms of system function employs at least two slips 216. With features or inserts 218 that exhibit wickers having directions that are opposed to one another. In this embodiment, a conventional slip or insert is one slip 216 while the next adjacent slip 216 will be an opposite of the first. More particularly, the second one of the slips will have all of its wickers 232, 234 and 236 facing in an unconventional direction as shown. Between the wickers of insert 218 and those not shown of a conventional configuration, the system is bolstered against movement in both directions (rightwardly and leftwardly of the figure).

Referring to FIG. 5, another embodiment having bidirectionality is illustrated. The system includes a slip 316 with wickers 322, and 326 being identical to wickers 22 and 26 featured in FIG. 2 as well as wicker 338, which is an orthogonally directed wicker. This embodiment moves the orthogonal wicker from where it is located in FIG. 2 but the orthogonal wicker 338 otherwise functions identically to that of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 6, it will be appreciated that the outside wickers are identical to that of FIG. 2 but that there are no inside wickers (30 in FIG. 2) employed in this embodiment. The embodiment otherwise works identically to that of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 7, another embodiment is illustrated having wickers 524 and 526 identical to wickers 22 and 26 of FIG. 2, a wicker 532 identical to wicker 132 of FIG. 3 and an orthogonal wicker 540. Functions of the wickers is similar to the foregoing and based upon exposure to the foregoing, the reader will be familiar with the forces best supported by the various wicker directions.

Referring to FIG. 8, another embodiment is illustrated. The reader should note initially that the wickers 622, 624 and 626 are identical to the embodiment of FIG. 6 but that the orthogonal wicker 420 of FIG. 6 has been replaced with a cutter 640 providing a force resisting direction different than wickers 622, 624, 626. The cutter 640, in some embodiments may be a naturally hard or hardened material, and will be brazed, or otherwise bonded to the insert 618 or slip 616. It will be evident that the cutter, will resist a force acting leftwardly of the Figure.

Referring to FIG. 9, another alternate embodiment is illustrated. This embodiment still includes a slip 716 and an insert 718 (if the slip is not directly configured). The wickers in this embodiment include 744 and 746 configured to resist a force applied rightwardly in the Figure and a wicker 748 configured with a direction to resist a force applied leftwardly in the figure. Hence this embodiment too includes bidirectional wickers.

Set forth below are some embodiments of the foregoing disclosure:

Embodiment 1: A single-cone bidirectional slip system including a single cone, a slip in operable communication with the cone, and bidirectional wickers associated with the slip.

Embodiment 2: The system as in any prior embodiment further including an insert for the slip, the insert having at least a portion of the bidirectional wickers thereon.

Embodiment 3: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the bidirectional wickers are a part of the slip.

Embodiment 4: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the bidirectional wickers include an orthogonal direction wicker.

Embodiment 5: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein a wicker has a direction to resist a force applied in a first direction along an axis of the system and another wicker has a direction to resist force applied in a direction opposite the first direction.

Embodiment 6: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the bidirectional wickers associated with one slip number four wickers.

Embodiment 7: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein three of the four wickers have a direction to resist a force applied in a first direction along an axis of the system and the fourth wicker has a direction to resist force applied in a direction opposite the first direction.

Embodiment 8: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein three of the four wickers have a direction to resist a force applied in a first direction along an axis of the system and the fourth wicker is orthogonal.

Embodiment 9: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein two of the four wickers have a direction to resist a force applied in a first direction along an axis of the system and two wickers have a direction to resist force applied in a direction opposite the first direction.

Embodiment 10: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein at least two of the wickers configured to resist an applied force in a same direction have different profiles.

Embodiment 11: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the bidirectional wickers associated with one slip number three wickers.

Embodiment 12: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein two of the three wickers have a direction to resist a force applied in a first direction along an axis of the system and one wicker has a direction to resist force applied in a direction opposite the first direction.

Embodiment 13: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the bidirectional wickers include a cutter.

Embodiment 14: The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the slip is two slips, a first slip including wickers having a same direction and a second slip having wickers having a same direction as each other and a direction collectively opposite a direction of the wickers of the first slip.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Further, it should further be noted that the terms “first,” “second,” and the like herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The modifier “about” used in connection with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity).

The teachings of the present disclosure may be used in a variety of well operations. These operations may involve using one or more treatment agents to treat a formation, the fluids resident in a formation, a wellbore, and/or equipment in the wellbore, such as production tubing. The treatment agents may be in the form of liquids, gases, solids, semi-solids, and mixtures thereof. Illustrative treatment agents include, but are not limited to, fracturing fluids, acids, steam, water, brine, anti-corrosion agents, cement, permeability modifiers, drilling muds, emulsifiers, demulsifiers, tracers, flow improvers etc. Illustrative well operations include, but are not limited to, hydraulic fracturing, stimulation, tracer injection, cleaning, acidizing, steam injection, water flooding, cementing, etc.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A single-cone bidirectional slip system comprising: a single cone; a slip in operable communication with the cone; and bidirectional wickers associated with the slip.
 2. The system as claimed in claim 1 further including an insert for the slip, the insert having at least a portion of the bidirectional wickers thereon.
 3. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bidirectional wickers are a part of the slip.
 4. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bidirectional wickers include an orthogonal direction wicker.
 5. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein a wicker has a direction to resist a force applied in a first direction along an axis of the system and another wicker has a direction to resist force applied in a direction opposite the first direction.
 6. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bidirectional wickers associated with one slip number four wickers.
 7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein three of the four wickers have a direction to resist a force applied in a first direction along an axis of the system and the fourth wicker has a direction to resist force applied in a direction opposite the first direction.
 8. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein three of the four wickers have a direction to resist a force applied in a first direction along an axis of the system and the fourth wicker is orthogonal.
 9. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein two of the four wickers have a direction to resist a force applied in a first direction along an axis of the system and two wickers have a direction to resist force applied in a direction opposite the first direction.
 10. The system as claimed in claim 9 wherein at least two of the wickers configured to resist an applied force in a same direction have different profiles.
 11. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bidirectional wickers associated with one slip number three wickers.
 12. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein two of the three wickers have a direction to resist a force applied in a first direction along an axis of the system and one wicker has a direction to resist force applied in a direction opposite the first direction.
 13. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bidirectional wickers include a cutter.
 14. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slip is two slips, a first slip including wickers having a same direction and a second slip having wickers having a same direction as each other and a direction collectively opposite a direction of the wickers of the first slip. 